GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) convened an emergency summit in Istanbul May 18 to address the ongoing Great Return March protests on the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip, which coincided with the transfer of the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem May 14.

The final statement included a series of measures to be taken against those countries supporting the embassy transfer. The statement stressed the imposition of economic and political measures on states and other entities that actively supported moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem, to ensure they are denied access to the markets of OIC members. The organization stated that it would also enforce political restrictions on states recognizing Israel’s annexation of Jerusalem, deeming the embassy move an attack on legal and historical rights.

In its statement, the OIC stressed its goal to protect Jerusalem and preserve its historical character, legal status and spiritual sites, taking all necessary measures to end violations committed by Israel and any supporting parties.

The OIC is the second-largest intergovernmental organization after the United Nations, with 57 member states from across four continents, including Saudi Arabia and Iran. The body was created according to a decision issued at the historic summit held in Rabat on Sept. 25, 1969, held to address the burning of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.